Patent GB-360430-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to gramophones, phonographs or like instruments
IPC: G11B33/02
Filed: 1930-07-28
Abstract: 360,430. Gramophones. DOMINION GRAMOPHONE RECORDS, Ltd., 24, Basinghall Street, London. July 28, 1930, No. 22748. [Class 40 (ii).] Relates to spring-driven gramophones in which the motor is wound by a to-and-fro movement of a handle instead of by the usual rotary hand crank. According to the invention, winding of the motor is effected by repeatedly drawing a ring or like handle away from the machine casing and allowing it to return, thereby oscillating a member which is connected through a one-way clutch to a spindle to which one end of the driving spring is connected. The ring or like handle operates through a cord or chain. The invention is shown as applied to a portable gramophone, the motor being mounted between bracket plates 42 on a supporting plate 12, through which passes the turntable spindle 21, geared to a wheel 48<1> on the spring barrel, Figs. 10 and 14. A centrifugal governor 51, with which a speed-regulating lever 28 coacts, is driven from the spindle 21. The inner end of the spring, within the barrel 48, Fig. 16, is attached to a spindle 59, to which is keyed a cupshaped member 65. This contains a disc 60 in which are formed recesses 61 housing spring- pressed balls or rollers 62, adapted to engage with the surrounding part 65. The inner walls of the recesses 61 are so inclined that the balls wedge when the disc 60 is turned in the direction of the arrow A, Fig. 17, but are free when reverse movement occurs ; the device thus constitutes a oneway clutch which enables a reciprocating motion of the part 60 to rotate the member 65 and the spring spindle 59. The disc 60 has a segmental member 71 secured thereto. This is fitted with a part 72 to form a peripheral groove in which lies a cord or chain 40, extending through a tubular guide in the casing and having a ring 40, Fig. 6, or a bar-shaped handle, at its end. A spring 76 acting on the segment 71 normally holds it so that the ring lies against the casing. The repeated action of pulling out the cord and allowing it to be returned by the action of the spring 76 causes the disc 60 to be reciprocated and, through the clutch 62 and member 65, to wind up the spring of the motor. Backward rotation of the spindle 59 of the motor is prevented by a one-way locking device comprising a ball or roller 69, acting upon a flange 66 of the member 65 and adapted to be wedged against a fixed bridge 68. A stiffening member 66 arranged over the roller 69 at the opposite side of the flange 66 prevents the latter from being deflected. A brake lever consisting of a leaf spring 26, Fig. 10, pivoted on the plate 12, is provided. A brake pad on the end of the lever is forced into engagement with the turntable by a cam 78 projecting from the plate 12, when the lever is turned. The casing of the gramophone, which is preferably formed of sheet metal, comprises a body part 10, Figs. 6 and 8, a cover (not shown), and the motor-supporting plate 12 secured within the body by an angled bracket and pillars 17 to which rubber feet 20 may be screwed. A handle 37, 38 made of a single stamping projects through slots in the plate 12 and case 10, and when not in use can be pushed into the case with the main part 38 flush with the side of the case. Records can be stored in the lid of the casing, on a screw on which they are held by a nut. The screw is displaced slightly from the centre of the lid, to allow clearance for the sound-box when the machine is packed up. At one corner of the plate 12 is an aperture 25 in which the tone-arm is supported. Sound is emitted through an aperture 29, which also serves as a recess in which the sound-box rests when the tone-arm is in the out-of-use position as shown in Figs. 6 and 10. A needle cup 79 is pivoted at 80 on the underside of the plate 12, so as to be closed by the plate until the cup is swung out into the recess 29. The tone-arm is formed of a tube 27 brazed at one end into a short tube carrying the sound-box, and brazed at the other end into a cylindrical part 33. This is formed with a ring 32 having engagement with a seating 32<1> so as to permit universal movement.